A man who was growing hundreds of marijuana plants near Southeast Portland’s Cleveland High School -- some in plain view of the street -- was sentenced Thursday to 7½ years in prison for stabbing a 16-year-old boy who had ventured into his back yard.

Gerald Wesley Mathews stabbed the teen on the afternoon of Sept. 24. Mathews later told police the boy was stealing some of his nearly 500 pot plants, 320 of which were mature. Mathews had a medical marijuana card but possessed far more plants than allowed.

Investigators say his corner lot was partially surrounded by a chain-link fence and some of the plants were covered by a tarp. Others, however, were tall and visible to passers by. Neighbors of the property near Southeast 26th Avenue and Tibbetts Street also reported smelling the aroma wafting over onto their properties, about two blocks from Cleveland.

Investigators say a few teens might have been in Mathews’ yard the afternoon of the stabbing, but Bilombelle Mwenebatu was the only one caught. Mathews stabbed Mwenebatu in the head and chest.

Witnesses saw Mwenebatu stagger out to the street and collapse. A neighbor called 911 at 4:50 p.m.

Mwenebatu was rushed to OHSU. Police found marijuana in his backpack.

Meanwhile, Mathews barricaded himself in his home, and an hourslong standoff ensued. Mathews eventually gave himself up to police.

Police found 29 Chihuahuas in Mathews’ house. They were all in good health, and Mathews wasn’t charged with any crimes related to the dogs.

In March, Mathews pleaded guilty to attempted murder and being a felon in possession of a firearm during a hearing in Multnomah County Circuit Court.

At Mathews' sentencing hearing Thursday, Mwenebatu asked for answers about why he was so viciously attacked. He said that nearly one year later, he still suffers from health problems, including trouble digesting food. He said he’s been losing weight.

Mwenebatu had withdrawn from Cleveland the day of the attack. He told Judge Eric Bloch that he was still trying to get healthy and re-enroll in school.

Mathews declined to make a statement. His public defender, Casey Kovacic, said his client has bipolar disorder and had been suffering a manic episode -- including extreme paranoia, mood swings and lack of emotional control -- at the time of the attack.

“This is not offered to the court as an excuse for his extremely disproportionate response to the situation, but does offer some context to how this transpired, and how this went from a situation where Mr. Mathews was a victim of trespass to a situation where Mr. Mathews was sitting in jail charged with a very serious crimes,” Kovacic said.

“He is now stable, taking medications, and takes full responsibility for his actions," Kovacic said. "Through me he wants to extend his sincere apologies to the victim and his family.”

In addition to prison time, Mathews was sentenced to three years of post-prison supervision. The judge ordered that he have no contact with the victim.

Last month, Mathews was sentenced in federal court for the pot grow. He will serve his prison terms at the same time, meaning he will serve a total of 7 1/2 years with no possibility of early release for good behavior.